AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
AmSnow's 2009 162-inch M8 SnoPro had a vastly improved chassis compared with the '08 SnoPro Night Fire we rode for the '08 season. We appreciate the 2009 M8's reduced weight, telescoping handlebars, electronic reverse and Power Claw track. The '09 Cat M8 SnoPro is 22 lbs. lighter than its '08 predecessor, and the SnoPro is now only about 10 lbs. heavier than Ski-Doo's XP Summit - the industry's lightest.
The new Arctic Cat-designed Power Claw 2.25-inch track, Cat's exclusive design, combines the best features of Cat's Attack 20 track, and the aggressive traction concept of a finger track. The 80 durometer, three-pitch track has negative 20-degree paddles (like the Attack 20) and traction towers that tilt a positive 20-degrees. The traction towers blend with the paddles on the paddles' outer edge, near the track's edge. This track weighs the same as the Challenger track.
We found the Power Claw was the best track on the snow, better than tracks on competing sleds. However, there were times when Polaris' Dragon, with its Series 5.1 track, would hang with the Power Claw. Maybe the Dragon's higher horse motor was the reason, but we're not sure that theory holds water because the Dragon is heavier than the M8. We did find that super deep and stiff snow was not the ideal place for the Power Claw. However, every mountain track has its limitations, and every mountain track will excel when conditions are right for its design. The Power Claw was the most versatile track we tested.
For several years, AmSnow's mountain team complained to Cat about the Ms' handlebars, they were too low. The '09 telescoping handlebars, which lift and lower through 12-positions, in 3/8-inch increments, gave us the opportunity to adjust the bars for driver preference and terrain. These bars are the best in the west.
The M8 is an extreme backcountry boondocking and technical riding sled. We feel it leads all other 800s in this category. But, the M8 is not the best sled for fast trail riding across three-foot-high moguls. Though the 2009 Sno Pro is the best Sno Pro to date, it still lacks the trail manners of a Summit, Dragon or Nytro MTX.
Mountain test rider Kevin Allred said, "Since the introduction of the M series in 2005 it has been in constant evolution. The changes for 2009 left us with very few complaints. From the ground up this is a true mountain sled, which I feel very comfortable and confident on, especially when it comes to boondocking through nasty steep sidehills covered with trees. All in all, the '09 M8 covers all aspects of mountain riding; this is about as good as it gets."
Our long-term M8 averaged a reasonable 7.3 mpg at wide-open-throttle in waist-deep powder. The biggest nit we had with the M8, and which is fully corrected for the 2010 model year, was its seat. The 2009 seat is an absorbent sponge holding almost 18 lbs. of water after a hard day's powder ride.
Finally, the 2009 M8 was the lowest horsepower 800, but will be the highest horsepower 800 for 2010 with Cat's new 160+-horse High Output (H.O.) motor.